Nine schools in Sutton became academies yesterday.

The schools were given status after the borough's 14 state-run secondaries formed a consortium last year with the goal of becoming academies.

They submitted applications to the Government to break away from local authority control after consulations with parents, staff and other stakeholders in April.

The nine schools granted the status on June 1 were Cheam High, Wallington County Grammar, Carshalton Girls, Carshalton Boys, Sutton Grammar, Greenshaw, Overton Grange, Wallington High School, and Westbourne Primary School.

They follow Wilson's School, which was the first of the borough's schools to become an academy on April 1.

None of the schools will be looking for sponsors to take them over, but instead said by becoming academies they would have greater access to funds.

They have denied changes to admissions policies could affect Sutton children’s access to school places.

A spokesman for the consortium said: “Part of being an academy means the schools will continue to work very closely with other schools and the local authority to plan for, and shape education for Sutton’s young people.”

Councillor Kirsty Jerome, the council’s education spokeswoman, said: “The local authority will continue to work in partnership with the schools that choose to become academies because we want to ensure children get places at local schools, and that all our children continue to get the best education possible."

The only secondary schools in the borough yet to convert to academy status are St Philomena's Catholic High School for Girls, and the John Fisher School, which are involved with discussions with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark over land ownership issues.

Stanley Park High School will also not become an academy while its new premises in Carshalton is being built.

Community special school Wandle Valley is the only other school yet to receive academy status.

It is understood there has been a delay in the application because of concerns over how a shortfall in support staffs' pensions will be funded.